Where to Buy a Fresh, Local Turkey for Thanksgiving in Somerville

When I first hosted Thanksgiving a couple of years ago, I knew I wanted to serve a fresh, local turkey. I ordered one from Stillman’s at the Turkey Farm and picked it up the weekend before Thanksgiving at the Union Square Farmers Market. It was far and away the best turkey I’d ever eaten and sourcing a fresh, local turkey for Thanksgiving has now become an annual tradition.

Fresh, local turkeys tend to be more expensive than what you find at the grocery store, but as with all of the incredible local food we have access to, it’s so worth it. By purchasing a fresh, local turkey, you’re getting a high-quality product, you know exactly what you’re getting and you’re supporting the local economy.

There are a few options for where to buy a fresh, local turkey if want one for your own Thanksgiving meal and it’s important to start planning this now, as they usually need to be pre-ordered. If you know of another place to get a fresh, local turkey with easy pick-up for city residents, leave a comment!

81 Holland St., 617-623-0867
Dave’s is selling fresh, local turkeys that are antibiotic- and hormone-free from two different farms this year: Copicut Farms and Stonewood Farm. Based in Darmouth, Copicut has a limited number of 12- to 14-pound or 17- to 19-pound turkeys available for $5.99 per pound. You must reserve a Copicut Farms turkey by Thursday, November 6, to have it ready to pick up on Tuesday, November 25 after 2 p.m. The Vermont-based Stonewood Farm turkeys are available in sizes ranging from 10 to 20 pounds and cost $4.59 per pound. You can order them until Monday, November 17 for pick-up on Tuesday, November 25 after 2 p.m. In search of a turkey larger than 20 pounds? You can special order one from Stonewood through Dave’s.

201A Highland Ave., 617-666-1970
This whole-animal butchery on Highland Ave. is offering pasture-raised Broad Breasted White turkeys from a farm in Berlin. They turkeys are raised from hatchlings without hormones, antibiotics or dewormers. You can order a 12- to 16-pound or 17- to 20-pound turkey for $7 per pound by Sunday, November 9 to be picked up Saturday or Sunday, November 22 or 23 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., on Tuesday, November 25 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. or on Wednesday, November 26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

14 Tyler St., info@somethinggud.com
Local grocery delivery service Something Gud has fresh, local turkeys from Berlin-based Lilac Hedge Farm that can be reserved until Tuesday, November 11 and will be delivered to your door on Tuesday, November 25. A range of sizes (from 12 to 14 pounds all the way up to 24 to 26 pounds) priced accordingly (from $66 to $143) are available. Want to source your sides locally too? Something Gud will also deliver seasonal veggie, salad and fruit shares as well as Iggy’s rolls along with your turkey.

Union Square Farmers Market, 413-477-0345
Hardwick-based Stillman’s sells eggs and meat each week at the Union Square Farmers Market and right now you can order a fresh turkey from them for your holiday meal. The farm offers several sizes, from 10 pounds for $75 all the way up to 27 pounds for $150, and the farm can even take special orders for 28-plus pound turkeys for $5.50 per pound. Stillman’s also has heritage birds ($115 each) as well as special cuts of lamb, beef and whole roasting chickens available throughout the holiday season. There’s a $25 non-refundable deposit required when you order (via phone, email or in person) and pick-up is at the Union Square Farmers Market on Saturday, November 22 (other locations and days available).

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